Water companies who rely on groundwater are unable to lift the hosepipe ban as the recent heavy rainfall, whilst boosting river and reservoir levels, has had "little impact" on the groundwater sources.

South East Water said groundwater provides 75% of their customers's water supplies, and levels remain severe:

All water companies must stick to their drought management plans which are agreed with our regulators. Just as those companies who are now in a position to withdraw their restrictions will be following theirs, so must we comply with ours and retain them.

Thames Water, Anglian Water and Southern Water will remove the ban on using hosepipes from midnight tonight. The decision follows record levels of rainfall across the UK in April, and a cool and damp May and June.

Richard Aylard, sustainability director of Thames Water, said that although reservoir levels are not completely back to normal there would be no restrictions on water use for the rest of the year.